Haverhill starts campaign for new fire station

Fundraising begins with a goal of $300,000

January 12, 2013

HAVERHILL - The city of Haverhill has been offered land to use for a new fire station.

They next need the funds for a new building.

Haverhill city and fire department leaders have started a fundraising campaign in hopes to raise $300,000 for a new building for the volunteer fire department.

Article Photos

T-R PHOTO BY ANDREW POTTERHaverhill volunteer firefighters are pictured next to a fire engine with the town’s fire station in the background Wednesday. They are looking to raise money to build a new fire station. Pictured are, from left, Kyle Elliott, Dick Stalzer, Tim Shibe, Jim Stalzer, Ross Stalzer, Adam Vogeler, Josh Brown and city council member Matt Stalzer.

The old building was built in the 1970s and is not only showing signs of wear but also has space limitations in a residential neighborhood in town.

"It's an old building and there's no room to expand here," said Matt Stalzer, a Haverhill city council member and one of the leaders of the fundraising campaign.

MId-Iowa Cooperative has offered a piece of land just south of Haverhill on Main Street before it turns into Oaks Avenue for the project.

Stalzer said the fundraising plan is for three years as they collect donations of money and grain and are planning events such as street dances over the next two summers to help pay for the project.

"We'd like to have something built in three to five years," he said.

Stalzer said the new facility would allow for more space for fire vehicles and equipment. The fire department is all volunteer and made up of 18 firefighters.

The Haverhill department is not only utilized for fire protection in town but also helps other area towns during fires and attends to vehicle accidents on nearby Highway 14 often.

"The work of this department is very important," Stalzer said.

Stalzer said the city does not have the funds to build a new facility, but the project does have support from his fellow council members.

"Everyone's on board," he said. "They want to help with some of the fundraising."

Matt's uncle, Dick Stalzer, is the assistant fire chief for the Haverhill Volunteer Fire Department, and said a new facility is needed.

"This obviously needs repair," he said as he standing outside the facility. "We would hate to pump money into an old building."

Matt Stalzer has been encouraged so far in the fundraising effort. Letters were sent out to Haverhill residents and some area businesses in December and they have raised $30,000 so far.

"The community wants to help to do this," Matt Stalzer said. "It's gone really well."

To donate to the effort make checks payable to the City of Haverhill Fire Station Fund and send them to Haverhill Fire Station Fund, P.O. Box 81 Haverhill, IA 50120.